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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Story of the Sun: A Look at Imam al-Ridha Life Brief History of Imam al-Ridha’s (a.s.) Life His blessed name: ‘Ali His father’s name: Imam Musa b. Ja‘far (a.s.) His mother’s name: Najma or Tuktam His nickname: Abu al-Hasan His cognomen: Ridha Date of birth: Dhu’l-Qaʿda 11, 148/Dec 29, 765 Place of birth: Holy city of Medina Progeny: His holiness Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.); of course, it is disagreed whether his holiness has had other children.

Rulers of his time: Mansur Dawaniqi, Mahdi ‘Abbasi, Hadi ‘Abbasi, Harun al-Rashid, Muhammad Amin, Ma’mun ‘Abbasi Date of being appointed as heir apparent: Ramadhan, 201/March, 817, as imposed by Ma’mun Length of life: 55 Date of martyrdom: the end of Safar, 203/September 5, 818 His murderer: Ma’mun ‘Abbasi, through poisoning His mausoleum: Holy city of Mashhad, as known worldwide.[^1] Imam al-Ridha’s (a.s.) Date of Birth Well-known scholars of hadith have regarded his birth date to be 11th of Dhu’l-Qaʿda, 148/29th of December, 765, and this is the same year that Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) departed from this world.[^2] However, some have regarded his holiness’ birth to be five years after the demise of Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.).[^3] Imam al-Ridha’s (a.s.) Noble Mother His noble mother was an honorable lady named Najma or Tuktam, who was named Tahira – the pure one – after her marriage.[^4] She was a chaste[^5] and wise lady from among the Persian dignitaries.[^6] In a tradition, her highness Tuktam, Imam al-Ridha’s (a.s.) Mother, is quoted as saying: “Help me out by a wet nurse (to help me with suckling Ridha).

She was asked: “Is the milk reduced?” “No,” She answered, “but I have adhkar and supplications to perform that have been reduced after his birth.”[^7] Imam al-Ridha’s (a.s.) Children The historians and hadith scholars are divided over the number of Imam al-Ridha’s (a.s.) Children; many, like Shaykh al-Mufid[^8] and Ibn Shahrashub[^9], regard Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) as the only child of Imam al-Ridha (a.s.), but some have assumed him to have had other children, including a daughter named Fatima.[^10] However, some traditions have confirmed the Imam’s having had only one child.

A man called Hannan b. Sudayr said, I said to Imam al-Ridha (a.s.): Would an Imam be without a son or a successor?